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Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Arsenal begin their Champions League campaign on Wednesday against Dynamo Kyiv, in the second part of their three match road trip. After an up and down Champions League run last year, Arsenal will hope that they can be much more consistent this year and take the next step up to lifting the trophy with the big ears. The Champions League schedule makers were kind to Arsenal when they made this game in September rather than the bitter cold Russian winter. This will not be a home game for Dynamo, because their normal stadium, the Olimpiyskiy Stadium, has been demolished so it can be improved in preparation for the next Euro`s in four years time, so the game will be played at Lobanovsky Dynamo Stadium.

Arsenal`s attack has been firing on all cylinders ever since they stuttered against Fulham. Since that game, in three games Arsenal has outscored their opponents 11-0. Last year in the Champions League, Dynamo Kyiv was the whipping boy in group F, losing all six games, including an 8-2 aggregate loss to Manchester United. Their goal differential was abysmal as well, giving up an astonishing 19 goals and only scoring 4. With Arsenal`s attack in perfect harmony as of late, Kyiv will have a difficult time improving on their defensive record from last year.

Dynamo Kyiv Team News:
Kyiv will be without Moroccan defender Badr El Kaddouri, who has to serve a one match suspension, but everybody else should be fit for the Ukrainian club.

Player to watch: Masksim Shatskikh

Arsenal Team News:
Clichy and Eboue have both been passed fit to be included in the squad, but Frenchman Samir Nasri has been ruled out for at least one more game. Silvestre is once again not fit to take part in the squad, and Eduardo, Diaby, Rosicky and Bischoff are all still out.

Almunia will start in goal, with Clichy, Sagna, Gallas, and Toure in the defense. Theo Walcott definitely will start alongside Eboue at side of midfield with Cesc Fabregas and Denilson in the middle of the park.. Adebayor and Van Persie will be the forwards.